Health-related quality of life in survivors of testicular cancer 3 to 13 years after treatment

In a retrospective study of 277 survivors of testicular cancer aged 18 to 83, the authors investigated health-related quality of life. A packet including a questionnaire about health-related quality of life, specific questions concerning testicular cancer, and a symptom checklist was sent to 367 men with nonseminomatous and seminomatous tumors who had completed treatment 3 to 13 years before the study; 277 of the men (75.5%) completed the questionnaires. The results were compared with an age-matched group of 122 men in the general population. Overall, the health-related quality of life experienced by the survivors was as good as, or even better than, that of the men in the general population. Men treated with chemotherapy, either as a single therapy or in combination with other treatments, scored less favorably regarding quality of life. Perceived attractiveness, being fertile, having children, and living with a partner were the most important aspects of good health-related quality of life.